Delta permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage?
Short answer
In the City of Delta a detached garage, shed or other accessory building larger than 10 m2 needs a building permit. One accessory building under 10 m2 does not, and neither does a deck or patio less than 600 mm above the ground. All must follow zoning rules.
Key facts
| Sheds | A detached accessory building larger than 10 m² (garage, shed, workshop, studio) needs a building permit. One accessory building under 10 m² needs none unless it contains operating mechanical equipment, but it must still be sited as the zoning requires.eApply Guide, Residential Detached Accessory Building Permit; Building & Renovating, Building & Renovating page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingApply online for a detached accessory greater than 10 m2, including garages, sheds, workshops, studios, etc. do not require a building permit but must be sited in accordance with zoning regulations One accessory building with a floor area less than 10 m2 (107.6 ft2) does not require a permit, unless it contains operating mechanical equipment. |
|---|---|
| Decks | No building permit for patios and decks less than 600 mm above grade, treated as landscaping; decks up to 0.6 m high may also sit inside zone setbacks. Sundeck additions are listed among projects with building permit requirements, but no document states the rule for taller decks in words. Confirm with the Application Centre.Building & Renovating, Building & Renovating page, work not needing a permit; Residential, Residential page, Additions and Renovations; Delta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017, sections 6.2.1, 6.2.16 and 11.10, s. 6.2.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingLandscaping, including patios and decks less than 600 mm (1 ft 11 in) above grade Carport or Sundeck Additions for decks not more than 0.6 m in height, as measured from finished grade |
| Garages and carports | A detached garage larger than 10 m² needs a building permit. Carport additions and carport enclosures are also listed among residential projects with building permit requirements.eApply Guide, Residential Detached Accessory Building Permit; Residential, Residential page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingApply online for a detached accessory greater than 10 m2, including garages, sheds, workshops, studios, etc. Carport or Sundeck Additions Carport Enclosures |
| Zoning limits | Rules apply without a permit. In RS and RD zones an accessory structure may have one sink only (three fixtures with an in-ground pool) and no covered deck or porch. In RS1 and RS5: 3 m high (3.75 m to ridge), 1 m from side and rear lines, 12 m from the front line; lot coverage 45%.Delta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017, sections 6.2.1, 6.2.16 and 11.10, s. 6.2.16; Delta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017, sections 6.2.1, 6.2.16 and 11.10, s. 11.10.6 and 11.10.7 (RS1 zone example) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA maximum of 1 plumbing fixture, limited to a sink only, is permitted in any accessory A covered deck or a porch is not permitted for an accessory structure. Maximum lot coverage shall be 45%. Front 6.5 m 12 m See Section 6.2 Interior Side 1.5 m 1m Rear 9m 1m to mid-roof or the 8m 3m |
| Bylaw | Delta Building/Plumbing Bylaw No. 8065, 2021 and Delta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017Delta Building/Plumbing Bylaw No. 8065, 2021, title page; Delta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017, sections 6.2.1, 6.2.16 and 11.10, title page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingDelta Building/Plumbing Bylaw No. 8065, 2021 Delta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017 |
How it works
The City of Delta requires a building permit for a detached accessory building (garage, shed, workshop, studio) larger than 10 m². One accessory building under 10 m² needs none unless it contains operating mechanical equipment, but it must still be sited as the Zoning Bylaw requires. The files do not say what happens at exactly 10 m².
Steps
- Look up your zone, setbacks and lot coverage on DeltaMap, or ask the Development Department.
- For a garage, carport, workshop, studio or shed over 10 m², apply for a building permit on Delta Online (the application, then plan upload).
- Pay the fees the City requests, then book inspections.
Good to know
- Patios and decks less than 600 mm above grade are treated as landscaping and need no building permit. They may also sit inside zone setbacks up to 0.6 m high.
- No document we read says in words that a taller deck needs a permit. The City lists sundeck additions among projects with building permit requirements, so call the Application Centre before building one.
- Carport additions and carport enclosures are also listed among residential projects with building permit requirements. Demolishing a garage or carport needs a demolition permit.
- Zoning rules apply with or without a permit. In RS and RD zones an accessory structure may have one sink only (three fixtures with an in-ground pool) and no covered deck or porch.
- In the RS1 and RS5 zones, for example: 3 m high (3.75 m to the ridge), 1 m from side and rear lot lines, 12 m from the front line, and 45% lot coverage. Each zone has its own table.
- A garden suite or coach house is a dwelling, not a shed; see the secondary suite answer.
What you'll need
- Site plan showing the building and its distance from lot lines
- Building plans, and a MyCity account for the online plan upload
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Richmond · Vancouver · Burnaby · White Rock · New Westminster · Surrey
Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Building & Renovating, City of Delta (read 2026-11-05)
- Residential, City of Delta (read 2026-11-05)
- eApply Guide, Residential Detached Accessory Building Permit (PDF), City of Delta (read 2026-11-05)
- Delta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017, sections 6.2.1, 6.2.16 and 11.10 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Delta Building/Plumbing Bylaw No. 8065, 2021 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 5 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.